AGP Executive Report

Urban Services: Congo and France are discussing five years of cooperation on sanitation, public health and the digital economy, including support from the French Development Agency for projects affecting Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire and other cities. Marine Monitoring: Satellite analysis found 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres of waters in Conkouati-Douli National Park, likely drifting from offshore platforms and threatening marine life. Forest Watch: A new assessment says Congo Basin forest loss reached 2.4 million hectares in 2025, nearly matching tropical Latin America’s losses despite a global slowdown. Young Innovators: The EU has opened a competition offering Congolese entrepreneurs prizes of up to 4.5 million CFA francs and six months of coaching; eligible fields include digital technology, renewable energy and sustainable agriculture. Media Technology: From 26 to 30 October, journalists at the Congolese Information Agency will train in online verification, image authentication and open-source research to help counter disinformation.

Marine Protection: Satellite analysis found 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres of waters in the Republic of Congo’s Conkouati-Douli National Park, likely from offshore platforms nearby. The pollution threatens habitat for whales, dolphins, turtles and other marine life. Congo Basin Forests: Global forest loss fell 15% in 2025, but tropical Africa lost 2.4 million hectares, and the report found no sign of a decline in the Congo Basin. Agriculture, logging and mining are major pressures. Youth Innovation: The EU has opened applications for a competition supporting Congolese entrepreneurs aged 18–35 in digital technology, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and environmental management. Twelve winners can receive up to 4.5 million CFA francs, while 24 founders will get six months of coaching and business support. Media Verification: Congolese Information Agency journalists are set to receive training in online verification, image authentication and open-source research to help counter disinformation.

Youth Innovation: The EU has opened applications for its Innov’action Global Gateway contest, backing young Congolese projects in digital technology, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and environmental management. Twelve winners can receive up to 4.5 million CFA francs, while 24 entrepreneurs will get six months of training and coaching. Congo Basin Forests: Global deforestation fell 15% in 2025, but tropical Africa lost 2.4 million hectares—nearly matching Latin America’s losses. The Congo Basin showed no sign of a decline, with farming, logging and mining among the main pressures. Satellite Monitoring: SkyTruth’s satellite analysis found 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres of waters in Conkouati-Douli National Park. Researchers believe the pollution came from three offshore platforms outside the protected area, threatening marine wildlife.

Forest Loss: Global deforestation fell 15% in 2025, but the Congo Basin showed no sign of improvement. Tropical Africa lost 2.4 million hectares, driven largely by agriculture, logging and mining, leaving the world off track for its 2030 target. Startup Support: The EU has opened a competition for Congolese founders aged 18–35, with 12 cash prizes of up to 4.5 million CFA francs and six months of coaching for 24 entrepreneurs. Eligible fields include digital technology, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and environmental management. Marine Pollution: Satellite monitoring found 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres of waters in Conkouati-Douli National Park. The slicks likely came from offshore platforms outside the protected area, threatening habitat for marine mammals, sharks and sea turtles.

Startup Support: The EU has opened a competition for young Congolese founders, offering 12 cash prizes of up to 4.5 million CFA francs and six months of coaching for 24 entrepreneurs. Projects in digital technology, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and environmental management are eligible. Marine Monitoring: Satellite analysis found 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres of waters in Conkouati-Douli National Park between 2022 and 2025. The pollution likely drifted from offshore platforms beyond the park, threatening marine wildlife. Education Infrastructure: Brazzaville’s new Angola Libre school complex can accommodate 10,000 pupils and includes a science laboratory, media libraries and 100 classrooms.

Marine Conservation: Satellite tracking recorded 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres of the waters in the Republic of Congo’s Conkouati-Douli National Park from 2022 to 2025. The pollution likely came from offshore platforms outside the protected area, threatening habitat for turtles, dolphins, whales and other marine life. Digital Technology: A new African infrastructure proposal argues that Central Africa could build technological capacity by processing minerals locally and developing battery technology, rather than relying on other regions for finished products. Science Education: Brazzaville’s new Angola Libre school complex in Makélékélé can serve 10,000 pupils and includes a science laboratory, 100 classrooms and three media libraries.

Marine Science: A satellite analysis found 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres of waters in Conkouati-Douli National Park, the worst pollution recorded in a marine protected area. The slicks likely drifted from offshore oil platforms, threatening whales, dolphins, turtles and other marine life. Digital Strategy: An African technology commentary argues Central Africa should focus on processing minerals locally and building battery technology, as part of a connected continental tech ecosystem. Education: Brazzaville’s new Angola Libre school complex can serve 10,000 pupils and includes a science laboratory and three media libraries. Port Infrastructure: Pointe-Noire has completed the concrete work on a 750-metre quay designed for the world’s largest container ships; equipment installation is next.

Digital Sovereignty: An Africa-focused technology blueprint argues Central Africa should build capacity in mineral processing and battery technology, linking regional hubs instead of relying on imported systems. AI in African Languages: Oria, a new voice assistant, supports Lingala alongside 11 other African languages and works by voice, text and camera. Pointe-Noire Port: Concrete work is complete on a 750-metre quay designed for the world’s largest container ships; equipment installation is next. Industrial Modernisation: SOCAR Downstream has been selected to advise on modernising Congo’s refinery, a step toward upgrading the country’s energy infrastructure.

Port Technology: Pointe-Noire’s new 750-metre quay has cleared its concrete-construction stage. Once equipped, its 17-metre depth and two berths will allow it to handle the world’s largest container ships. AI in African Languages: Oria, a new voice, text and camera assistant, supports Lingala alongside 11 other African languages, plus French and English. Its maker says the service has passed 700 users across 56 countries since beta. Congo Basin Exploration: Adventurer Ash Dykes is kayaking 434 miles through the basin, sharing the journey with millions online and drawing attention to the region’s remote, hazardous conditions. Wildlife Science: WWF reports that monitored wildlife populations in Africa declined by an average of 80% from 1970 to 2022, underscoring the pressure on ecosystems across the continent.

Port Infrastructure: Pointe-Noire’s new 750-metre quay has cleared its concrete construction phase. Once fitted with equipment, the 17-metre-deep berth will be able to handle the world’s largest container ships. Industry: Congo and Italy are comparing special economic zone models to identify ways to support industrial cooperation, investment and workforce training. SOCAR Downstream has also been selected to advise on modernising Congo’s refinery. AI in Africa: New assistant Oria supports Lingala, alongside 11 other African languages, and can respond by voice, text and camera—potentially widening access to digital tools for Congolese users. Conservation: WWF reports an average 80% decline in monitored African wildlife populations over 52 years, driven by pressures including habitat loss and climate change. The figure tracks population sizes, not the number of animals or species lost.

Port Infrastructure: Pointe-Noire’s new 750-metre Môle Est quay has cleared its concrete phase. Once fitted with cranes and other equipment, its 17-metre depth and two berths are designed to handle the world’s largest container ships. Digital Access: AI assistant Oria, built for African users, supports Lingala alongside 11 other African languages. The tool works by voice, text and camera and is available without subscriptions or ads. Industry: A Brazzaville seminar brought Congolese and Italian officials and businesses together to explore special economic zones, industrial value chains and workforce training. Separately, SOCAR Downstream was selected as consultant for Congo’s refinery modernization.

Pointe-Noire Port: Concrete work is complete on the 750-metre Môle Est quay. Once fitted out, its 17-metre depth and two berths are designed to handle the world’s largest container ships. AI in African Languages: New assistant Oria supports Lingala alongside 11 other African languages, with voice, text and camera features and no subscription or ads. Earth Observation: The Republic of Congo is among three partners in Kazakhstan’s roughly $70 million satellite initiative, with a shared Earth-observation constellation planned to improve monitoring of land use and natural hazards. Industrial Cooperation: A Brazzaville seminar brought Congolese and Italian officials and businesses together to compare special economic zone models and explore industrial investment, value chains and workforce training.

Port Infrastructure: Pointe-Noire’s new 750-metre Môle Est quay has completed its concrete phase. Once fitted out, it will add two berths designed for the world’s largest container ships. Digital Access: AI assistant Oria supports Lingala and French, alongside a dozen other African languages, and offers voice, text and camera tools without subscriptions or ads. Health & Safety: UN data show authorities seized 251 tonnes of illicit medical products across five Central African countries, including Congo, from 2020 to 2025; the report warns that trafficked goods include antibiotics and antimalarials. Space Technology: Kazakhstan says the Republic of Congo is among three partners in a planned Earth-observation satellite constellation, which aims to improve monitoring through more frequent imagery. Industrial Development: A Brazzaville seminar brought Congolese and Italian officials together to compare special economic zones and explore industrial cooperation, investment and workforce training.

Port Expansion: Pointe-Noire’s new 750-metre Môle Est quay has cleared its concrete-work stage. Designed for the world’s largest container ships, it will add two berths and 26 hectares of storage once equipment is installed. AI in African Languages: Oria, a new voice assistant, supports Lingala among 12 African languages and works through voice, text and camera, with no subscription or ads. Satellite Monitoring: Kazakhstan plans six Earth-observation satellites and says the Republic of Congo is among partners in a shared monitoring project, which could improve how often large areas are imaged. Industrial Cooperation: A Brazzaville seminar brought Congolese and Italian officials together to compare special economic zone models and explore industrial investment, value chains and workforce training. Energy Engineering: SOCAR Downstream was selected as consultant for the modernization of Congo’s refinery.

Port Infrastructure: Pointe-Noire has completed the concrete works on a new 750-metre quay designed for the world’s largest container ships. Equipment installation is next, ahead of operations at a berth planned with 17-metre depth and 26 hectares of storage. AI in African Languages: Oria, a new voice assistant, supports French and English and can write in Lingala, among 12 African languages. It also works by text and camera, with no subscription or ads. Satellite Monitoring: Kazakhstan says the Republic of Congo is among three partners in a roughly $70 million satellite initiative. The planned shared Earth-observation network could help countries monitor land and natural hazards more frequently. Refinery Modernization: Azerbaijan’s SOCAR Downstream has begun preliminary engineering work as project-management consultant for the CORAF refinery upgrade, a step toward defining the project’s technical scope.

African AI: Oria, a new voice assistant designed for African users, works in Lingala and other African languages, with voice, text and camera tools and no subscription or ads. Earth Observation: The Republic of the Congo is among Kazakhstan’s partners in a planned satellite network for monitoring land and natural hazards; the three-country partnership is valued at about $70 million. Digital Skills: A UNESCO-Codemao coding initiative says more than 200 teachers from Congo, Kenya, Namibia and Thailand received training in 2021–22, with educators expected to pass those skills on. Biodiversity Funding: Congo has launched a UNDP-backed project to develop a national plan for financing its 2025–2030 biodiversity strategy. Refinery Engineering: Azerbaijan’s SOCAR Downstream has begun preliminary design work as project consultant for modernization of the CORAF refinery.